Direction-indicator



J. H. 'RABBITT. DIRECUON INDICATOR. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30. 1917.

1,340,081.- Patented May 11,1920.

' Mamaroneck, in the county of \Vestchester JAMES H. RABBITT, OF MAMARONECK, NEW YORK.

DIRECTION-INDICATOR.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1920.

Application filed October 30, 1917. Serial No. 199,305.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES H. RABBITT, a citizen of the United States, residing at and State of New York, have invented certaln new and useful Improvements in D1- rection-lndicators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to signals and it is the principal object of the invention to provide a direction indicating signal whereby the direction of travel of a vehicle can be signaled to following and oncoming vehicles and pedestrians, thus materially lessening the liability of collisions and other forms of accidents.

Another and equally important object of the invention is to provide a direction indicating signal which is so constructed as to. require but a minimum amount of space, also, one which is portable in character, easily manipulated, efficient in operation, and strong and durable in use.

The foregoing together with additional advantageous details and arrangements of parts of the preferred embodiment of my invention will be clear from the specific description hereinafter contained, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, wherein said embodiment of the invention is illustrated for the purpose of facilitating a full understanding of the present improvements.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved signaling means, and,

Fig. 2 is a top plan thereof.

Having more particular reference to the drawings and in connection with which like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the device includes a base or support designated by the numeral 1 having a plurality of laterally extending perforated bearing arms or ears 2 secured thereto, for a pur ose which will be subsequently described. he base or support 1 may be and preferably is fixedly engaged with the vehicle upon which the same is arranged at a point convenient to the operator thereof in order that it may be readily operated.

Two of the faces of the support 1 are relatively at right angles, and the apertures of the ears 2 are located in advance of both faces of the support.

A plurality of indicating blades, generally indicated by the numeral 3, are provided and are pivotally connected with apertures of the various arms 2 as at 4:, it being noted in this connection, that the pivots of the members 3 are located in proximity to the lower portion of the rear extremity of each of the same. Handles or knobs 5 are secured to the rear portions of the indicating blades and as will be readily understood, afford means whereby the same may be readily engaged by the operator. The blades 3 are provided with descriptive matter, such for instance as the word Right Left and Stop, thus, allowing the direction of the vehicle to be indicated to following and oncoming vehicles and pedestrians, as well as the movement of the same.

Contractile coil springs 6 are connected at one end with the base or support 1 as at 7, while the other ends are engaged with the upper marginal edges of the various indicating blades 2 at points beyond the pivotal mountings i thereof. By this arrangement the indicating blades will be yieldably retained in either of their two positions or hearing at one side of the pivots 4 against one face of the support when in one position, and bearing at the other side of the pivot against the other face of the support when in its other position. Thus the indicating members are yieldably supported against the upper or horizontal face of the support 1 when in operative or signaling position,

and yieldably supported against the vertical face of the member 1 when in withdrawn position.

In using the improved direction indicating signal, the indicating blades 2 are normally arranged adjacent the side of the vehicle or yieldabl against the vertical face of the support. Vhen desiring to signal to vehicles or pedestrians, the knob or handle 5 of the proper indicating blade is utilized to swing it upwardly to substantially horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1, thereby bringing the proper word into displaying position. Subsequent to the signaling operation, the indicating blades may of course be returned to their normal or inoperative potions; the contractile springs 6 engaged therewith serving as means for retaining the same in such positions.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of considerable modification and such modification as is Within the scope of points when in a raised or lowered position my claim I consider Within the spirit of my to positively limit the movement thereof,

invention. and springs engaging the signal arms and I claim support and movable past the pivot points A signaling device comprising a horiof the signal arms upon actuation thereof zontal support bearing members carried by to hold the same in its tWo resting positions the support, signal arms pivotally connected against the support.

to the bearing members at points adjacent In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature to, but removed from their pivoted ends and hereto.

one of their side edges and engageable with the support on opposite sides of the pivot JAMES .H. RABBITT, 

